Gravity-loaded target launching machine

ABSTRACT

Machine for launching discoidal targets, comprising a launching device comprising a launching arm rotationally movable in a cycle from and to an armed position starting from which the launching arm is configured to throw a target present in a launching area, a magazine, configured to store targets pending launching, above the launching area, a transfer portion between the magazine and the launching area, configured to move the targets from the magazine to the launching area, wherein the magazine comprises a first row configured to receive juxtaposed targets and a second row configured to receive juxtaposed targets, with the second row being located above the first row and the first row and second row leading into a target lowering column extending to the transfer portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technical field of the invention is that of target launchingmachines for target practice, preferably for archery.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Archery traditionally offers archers the opportunity of shooting atfixed targets. A target launching machine makes it possible to vary thetraining conditions, by launching the targets so as to offer shooting atmoving targets. This is what the applicant recently proposed with themachine disclosed in patent publication WO-A1-2013023960.

A launching machine typically comprises a launching recess capable ofaccommodating a discoidal target. A launching device is capable oflaunching a target from the launching recess. During launching, the sideedge of the target rests on the launching device.

In order to be able to launch several targets in succession withoutaction by an operator, a machine of this kind advantageously comprises asupply magazine capable of storing several targets. Said supply magazineis typically capable of delivering one target at a time.

In the case of the machine presented in patent publicationWO-A1-2013023960, the magazine is an inclined ramp defining a stack oftargets. This principle offers the advantage of structural simplicity.The height of the magazine however soon becomes an impediment to storinga larger number of targets. Conversely, machines from the Ball-Trapfield often have a barrel-shaped magazine with a plurality of columns,each vertically storing a stack of targets. This method of storingtargets significantly increases the capacity of the magazine, but at theexpense of markedly greater complexity.

Consequently, there is a need to improve target storage, particularlyfor archery for which machines should preferably remain simple whileoffering significant capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is a machine for launching discoidaltargets, comprising:

-   -   a launching device comprising a launching arm rotationally        movable in a cycle from and to an armed position starting from        which the launching arm is configured to throw a target present        in the launching area,    -   a magazine, configured to store targets pending launching, above        the launching area,    -   a transfer portion between the magazine and the launching area,        configured to move the targets from the magazine to the        launching area.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the magazine comprises afirst row capable of receiving targets side by side and a second rowcapable of receiving targets side by side, with the second row beinglocated above the first row and the first row and second row leadinginto a target lowering column extending to the transfer portion.

This therefore provides a plurality of rows of targets (at least two,but potentially many more) without creating a too detrimental magazineheight; the proposed storage is both in height and in width.Furthermore, the rows are all oriented towards a common lowering columnto the transfer portion, so that they share a common exit, whichsimplifies the management of their movements.

Another aim of the invention is a method for dispensing targets from astorage magazine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description given below forinformation in connection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a machine according to theinvention, with the arm in the armed position;

FIG. 2 illustrates the machine in FIG. 1 during a target launchingphase;

FIG. 3 shows more specifically the fairing of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a stripped down view illustrating transfer of the targets;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the transfer portion in further detail;

FIGS. 7 to 22 show successive phases of operation of the machine, froman arrangement in which a maximum number of targets are present in themachine to an arrangement of throwing the last target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before making a detailed review of the embodiments of the invention,optional characteristics that may be used in any combination or asalternative solutions are listed hereafter:

-   -   Advantageously, the first row 61 and the second row 62        respectively feature a first ramp 63 and a second ramp 64, each        inclined downwards in the direction of the lowering column 67.    -   Preferentially, a device for retaining targets received in the        first row 61 is active at least when the launching arm 3 is in        the armed position.    -   According to a non-restrictive embodiment, the retaining device        is active on an angular sector of the rotational travel of the        launching arm 3 of at least 30°, preferably 40°, upstream from        the armed position according to the direction of rotation of the        launching arm 3.    -   Advantageously, the retaining device comprises a stop, movable        between a position in which the stop is configured to halt the        targets present in the first row 61 and a position in which the        stop is configured not to halt targets present in the first row        61.    -   The retaining device comprises a kinematic coupling member        configured so that the stop is rotated by the launching arm.    -   According to a preferred embodiment, the stop is a lever 5 that        is movable in rotation.    -   Preferentially, the kinematic coupling member comprises a cam 4,        rotationally integral with the launching arm 3 and pushing on        the lever 5.    -   The launching device comprises a fairing equipped with two side        walls 13, 14 parallel to each other and to a plane of rotational        travel of the launching arm 3, and the magazine 6 comprises a        fairing equipped with two side walls 66, 68 parallel to each        other.    -   The fairing of the launching device and the fairing of the        magazine 6 are parallel and offset in the direction of the axis        of rotation of the launching arm 3.    -   In a preferred embodiment, the magazine 6 is foldable towards        the launching device or is movable, by retraction for example.

A target 2 a, b, c usable in the invention is typically cylindrical andflattened. It features an essentially flat extension. In this plane,also known as the target plane, the target 2 is bounded by a circularcylindrical contour or side edge 21. In the direction perpendicular tosaid plane, the target 2 is bounded by two flat faces or flanks 22,spaced apart by a thickness e. The target is preferably made of plasticfoam, such as an elastomer foam. It may comprise two circular facesarranged on either side of a central body. The two circular faces arepreferably formed of a material having a density lower than that of thecentral body in order to receive and hold the arrow on one of the twofaces by blocking passage of the arrow through the central body. Theindicative dimensions of a target are a diameter of more than 15 cm, forexample 33 cm, and/or a thickness advantageously between 5 and 10 cm andpreferably 5 cm. The indicative weight corresponding to these dimensionsmay be 100 grams with a tolerance of +/−10%. The machine according tothe invention comprises a launching device which is the site at whichthe target is thrown outwards.

The launching device is equipped with a rotationally movable launchingarm 3. Movement of the launching arm 3 occurs at least in part insidethe launching recess 7. The rotary arm 3 therefore moves, at least overa portion of its rotation, inside the launching recess 7.

FIG. 1 shows a machine according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention. It rests on a frame 1, which, in the example illustrated, isequipped with an axle with two wheels and a foot, forming a balancedassembly to rest on the ground. A target launching device is arranged onthe frame 1. In the case illustrated, the launching device uses alaunching arm 3, the axis of rotation of which is oriented horizontally.Other orientations are possible. The longitudinal extension of the arm 3therefore rotates in a 360° cycle from a position in which the arm isarmed and ready to launch a target. FIG. 1 represents the armed positionin which a target 2 a is placed at the front of the arm 3 which rests ona surface 31 of the target; it is understood that the arm 3 is ready topropel the target 2 a when a movement, in the clockwise direction inthis case, is effected. The result is illustrated in FIG. 2, showing anintermediate position of the arm 3 and throwing of the target 2 a. Inthe armed position in FIG. 1, the target 2 a ready to be launched is notat the lowest point of the track. In this case, it is advantageous tohave an element for retaining said target in the armed position, on oneside of the side edge 21 opposite the bearing area 31. This may be aflexible blade visible in FIG. 1, integral with one of the walls 13, 14,resting on the side edge 21 but moving away elastically when thelaunching arm 3 throws the target 2 a. After throwing, the blade returnsto the stop position of another target in the launching area.

According to a first possibility, the arm 3 may be powered by anelectric drive, possibly combined with a helical spring serving to storeenergy and release the latter violently when a target throwing commandis given. According to another possibility, the machine 1 comprises amechanical system configured to produce the energy required to rotatethe arm according to its launching cycle; in particular, a helicalspring may be employed, tensioned by means of a mechanical control, suchas a pedal or lever, in a single movement or by repeated movements by auser.

The launching device is advantageous bounded by side walls 13, 14; FIG.1 illustrating the wall 13 and FIG. 3 showing both walls in anadvantageous configuration in which the walls 13, 14 are parallel toeach other and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the launchingarm 3. The bottom portion of the volume thus defined is furthermoredelimited by a track configured to form an application surface for theside edge 21 of the targets. In the case illustrated, the track inquestion comprises a fixed track 11 forming the major portion of thelength of the track and an adjustable track 12 which can be extended orretracted, preferably with several positions, so as to vary the overalllength of the track and consequently change the direction in which thetargets are thrown. The means of variation of the adjustable track 12may for example include a slide. From FIG. 1, it will furthermore benoticed that the track is advantageously concave curvilinear in shape soas to define a target receiving area forming a hollow in which thetargets can move.

More specifically, this curvilinear shape can be defined as a circularor virtually circular shape. Advantageously, the width of the track isslightly greater than that of the targets so as not to hamper theirmovements, while ensuring effective guidance of the target flanksagainst the walls 13, 14 separated by the track. The assembly thus formsa fairing enclosing at least the target to be thrown, in which the arm 3moves, at least during part of its movement.

FIG. 1 also shows a plurality of targets present in the machine, whichensures a certain degree of autonomy, so that a plurality of targets canbe thrown in succession without any need to reload the machine. To thisend, the machine comprises a magazine 6. According to the invention, thelatter is organised so as to store the targets both vertically andhorizontally. More specifically, a first row 61 of targets is visible,in addition to a second row 62 superimposed on the first. A row itselfincludes a capacity able to receive at least one target andpreferentially at least two targets side by side. The diagrams providedshow an embodiment using two rows, but this arrangement is by no meansrestrictive.

Advantageously, each row is equipped with a ramp 63, 64 guiding thetargets against their gravity. Advantageously, the ramps 63, 64 areinclined so as to tend to lower the targets in a preferred direction.The invention does not however exclude employing additionally oralternatively a member pushing on the targets at the end of the row 61,62 such that lowering by gravity is unnecessary or is supplemented.Potentially, the ramps 63, 64 are parallel to each other.

In a similar way to guidance of the targets on the track 11, 12, themagazine 6 advantageously comprises a fairing serving to delimit aninternal volume for receiving, and preferably for lateral guidance of,the targets present in the magazine 6. To this end and likewisesimilarly to the launching device, the magazine 6 preferably comprisestwo side walls 66, 68 on either side of the ramps 63, 64, with the wallspreferably being parallel to each other; advantageously, the spacingbetween the side walls is such that the possibility of lateral movementof the targets is limited so that the latter are guided laterally andheld in a vertical position, with the side edge 21 interacting with theramps 63, 64. It should be understood that this arrangement forms afairing for the magazine 6. Preferably, a fairing side edge,corresponding to a proximal end of the rows 61, 62, remains accessible,by means of an opening, so that the targets can be loaded into the rows.

Although vertically separated, the rows 61, 62 jointly lead to atransfer column 67 allowing the targets to descend towards the launchingdevice. It is noted in fact in FIG. 1 that a target on the first row 62is no longer held by the ramp 64 and that a target, marked in this case2 c and located on the second row 61, is not held by the ramp 63. In themanner, the targets are able to transit gradually downwards. They remainadvantageously held laterally by the walls 66, 68. In addition, thetransfer column 67 is also delimited laterally, according to thethickness of the fairing, i.e. the width of the ramps 63, 64, by a guide65 avoiding their exit by the side edge of the fairing. For example, theguide 65 may be a rectilinear surface, oriented potentially verticallydownwards. Advantageously, the magazine 6 is configured to hold thetargets in a vertical position, with the axis of symmetry of the targetsbeing parallel to the axis of rotation of the arm 3. Furthermore, in thearrangement illustrated, the magazine 6 and the launching device areoffset laterally (i.e. in the direction of the axis of rotation of thearm 3) so that the targets inside the magazine 6 are located in a plane,parallel to the angular displacement plane of the arm 3, offset inrelation to the latter. This angular offset is more precisely apparentfrom FIGS. 5 and 6. In particular, the side walls 66, 68 may be offsetin relation to the side walls 13, 14. This arrangement allows completemovement of the launching arm 3 throughout its entire cycle next to themagazine 6, without interfering with the latter. Thus, the rotationplane of the arm 3 is advantageously juxtaposed to the volume of themagazine 6. FIG. 4 illustrates the position of the arm at the rear ofthe side wall of the magazine 6.

It should be noted the magazine 6 can be articulated relative to thelaunching device in such a way that the magazine can be folded back intoa position where the machine is not in use. For example, FIG. 3 shows arectilinear lower edge of the magazine 6 mounted to pivot on an upperedge of the launching device (here it is the edges of two side wallsamong walls 66,68 and 13, 14 that interact). In the folded position, theheight of the machine is very significantly reduced, making it easier tostore, without taking up too much space or completely dismantling themagazine 6. According to another possibility, the magazine is detachableby dismantling the fixing means on the launching device, so as to handleand transport these two parts separately.

The bottom end of the column 67 leads into a transfer portion 7. Indeed,the lateral offset between the magazine 6 and the launching arm 3requires a change in the position of the targets up to the launchingarea. Consequently, there is a part in the machine that allows thetargets to be offset gradually so as to reach the displacement plane ofthe arm 3. The transfer portion 7 appears in particular in FIG. 3 in theform of a protrusion on the launching device. The portion 7 comprises adeflector 71 which may adopt the form of a wall, advantageously flat, onwhich the targets are liable to be applied, said wall having an obliquedirection from a proximal end of the wall to a level corresponding tothe plane of magazine 6 up to a distal end of the wall, a levelcorresponding to the displacement plane of the launching arm 3. Thedeflector angle may be 30°. The deflector 71 acts like a slide betweenthe magazine 6 and the launching area in front of the arm 3 in the armedposition.

FIG. 4 is a stripped down view in which a side wall of the launchingdevice has been partly illustrated so as to reveal the transfer portion7 and the inclination of the target 2 b located there. This transferalso appears in FIG. 5 without illustration of the deflector 71 and inFIG. 6 with the deflector 71.

It should be noted that the walls previously indicated may be made ofmetal sheets or layers of sufficiently rigid polymer or compositematerials.

It will be seen from the above that the targets are gradually conveyedby gravity to the launching area, on the side of the launching arm 3allowing their throwing. Since, however, the lowering column 67 iscommon to the different rows 61, 62, it is desirable, albeit notabsolutely necessary, to have a means serving to retain the targets inthe bottom row(s) (in this case the first row 61) when targets are stillavailable in the upper row (in this case the second row 62). Indeed, thelateral push of the targets of the first row 61 on the other targetsalready present in the lowering column 67 could block the movement oflowering by gravity in said column 67 in the direction of the launchingarm 3.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a target retaining device for thispurpose.

Advantageously, this device is active on a portion of the angular travelof the arm 3 and inactive on another portion of this travel. Morespecifically, it is desirable that the retaining device be active on aportion of the angular sector of rotation of the arm upstream from thearmed position (within an angular sector of 180° upstream from the armedposition). It is indeed in this area that the relative blockage oftargets would be most detrimental. For example, the retaining device maybe active on an angular sector of at least 30° and preferably of atleast 40° towards the armed position. Thus, the retaining device may beinactive on an angular sector beyond the armed position in the directionof rotation of the arm and allow in this case complete movement of thetargets in the magazine and the transfer portion, including in the firstrow 61. In the following angular sector, in which the retaining deviceis active, the targets of the first row 61 are retained so as not tointerfere with the movement of the targets present in the loweringcolumn 67. According to one possibility, the retaining device can beconfigured to push back the targets in the first row 61 during themovements of activation of the retaining device in order to avoidpersistent contact between these targets and those present in the column67.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the retaining device comprises astop in the form of a rotationally movable lever 5 (a translationalmovement or a complex movement is not however excluded) between aretracted position that does not interfere with the first row 61 and adeployed position in which the lever 5 is liable to interfere with thetargets in the first row 61, as is the case in FIG. 1. In thisconfiguration, a stop area 52 of the lever 5 is in contact with the sideedge 21 of the lowermost target in the row 61.

On a preferred embodiment, the stop (typically the lever 5) has amovement linked to that of the launching arm 3. Thus, no motorisation oradditional drive means are required to perform this function. In orderto achieve this, in the case illustrated, a cam 4 is integral with thelaunching arm, around an axis of rotation 41 also corresponding to thatof the arm. The cam 4 is advantageously of curvilinear shape, elongatedso as to have a larger dimension in a longitudinal direction oriented inthe direction of longitudinal extension of the launching arm 3 than in atransverse direction oriented perpendicularly to the direction oflongitudinal extension of the launching arm 3. Thus, the cam 4 is anelongated rounded shape. Furthermore, the cam 4 is configured to rest onthe lever 5 so as to exert a force on the latter during rotation of thearm 3. In the case described in detail here, there is an offset betweenthe planes of the magazine 6 and the launching device containing the arm3. Consequently, the cam 4 is advantageously offset in relation to thearm 3 in the direction of the axis of rotation of the arm so as to bepositioned, like the lever 5, in the volume of the magazine 6, offset tothat of the launching device.

It will be understood that the contact between the cam 4 and the lever 5is variable during rotation of the arm 3, so that the lever 5 is more orless deployed according to the area of its contact with the cam 4. Inthis manner, the movement of the lever 5 may follow a cycle, for examplesinusoidal in shape, of deployment and retraction in relation to thefirst row 61. The deployed position is visible in particular,specifically in FIG. 1, whereas the retracted position is reflected byFIG. 2.

It should be noted that if more than two rows 61, 62 are present in themagazine 6, the necessary means may be provided in the retaining deviceto ensure retention of the targets of the rows below the uppermost rowin the magazine 6. It is in particular possible to synchronise themovement of the different additional retaining members with that of thelever 5 or with any other stop of the first row 61 described above. Itis, for example, possible to employ a bar and tie rod system fortransmitting movements to additional levers.

FIGS. 7 to 22 show the successive operating phases of the machineaccording to the invention.

FIG. 7 corresponds to the situation previously described in accordancewith FIG. 1. The magazine here is completely filled and a target isready for throwing in front of the launching arm. Throwing is performed,as shown in FIG. 8, by a rotation of the arm. In this situation, thelowermost target in the first row 61, which was held up to this point bythe lever 5, is now released by retraction of the lever 5. In thissituation, there is nothing to prevent gradual lowering of the targetsuntil a new target arrives in the launching area in order to be thrown.Gradual lowering of the targets causes the targets that were on thehighest level to move by priority towards the transfer portion 7. Theretaining device prevents the targets in the first row 61 frominterfering with lowering of the targets present in the column 67.

FIG. 9 is fairly similar to FIG. 7 for launching of the next target,with the arm having returned to the armed position in this figure.Likewise, the launching in FIG. 10 corresponds to the movement of thearm previously described in FIG. 8. The movement of the lever 5 is alsoequivalent. It should be noted that the first row 61 remains full andthe second row 62 continues to empty.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show successive phases of preparing a throw and executionof a throw, with, as in the previous cases, retention of the targets inthe first row 61 and lowering of the other targets through the column67. In FIG. 14, the first row 61 begins to empty, since no higher leveltarget is available in this case. The throwing and reloading phases thensucceed each other, as FIGS. 15 to 22 show. In this last figure, thereare no longer any targets available and the machine needs to be reloadedin order to be able to continue target practice.

REFERENCES

-   1. Frame    -   11. fixed track    -   12. adjustable track    -   13. side wall    -   14. side wall-   2 a, b, c. Targets    -   21. side edge    -   22. flank-   3. Launching arm    -   31. bearing area-   4. Cam    -   41 axis of rotation-   5. Lever    -   51. axis    -   52. stop area-   6. Magazine    -   61. first row    -   62. second row    -   63. first ramp    -   64. second ramp    -   65. guide    -   66. side wall    -   67. transfer column    -   68. side wall-   7. Transfer portion    -   71. deflector

1. Machine for launching discoidal targets, comprising: a launchingdevice comprising a launching arm rotationally movable in a cycle fromand to an armed position starting from which the launching arm isconfigured to throw a target present in a launching area, a magazine,configured to store targets pending launching, above the launching area,a transfer portion between the magazine and the launching area,configured to move the targets from the magazine to the launching area,wherein the magazine comprises a first row configured to receivejuxtaposed targets and a second row configured to receive juxtaposedtargets, with the second row being located above the first row and thefirst row and second row leading into a target lowering column extendingto the transfer portion.
 2. The machine according to claim 1, whereinthe first row and the second row respectively feature a first ramp and asecond ramp, each inclined downwards in a direction of the loweringcolumn.
 3. The machine according to claim 1, comprising a device forretaining targets received in the first row which is active at leastwhen the launching arm is in the armed position.
 4. The machineaccording to claim 3, wherein the retaining device is active within anangular sector of a rotational travel of the launching arm of at least30°, preferably 40°, upstream from the armed position according to adirection of rotation of the launching arm.
 5. The machine according toclaim 3, wherein the retaining device comprises a stop, movable betweena position in which the stop is configured to halt targets present inthe first row and a position in which the stop is configured not to halttargets present in the first row.
 6. The machine according to claim 5,wherein the retaining device comprises a kinematic coupling memberconfigured so that the stop is rotated by the launching arm.
 7. Themachine according to claim 6, wherein the stop is a lever which ismovable in rotation.
 8. The machine according to claim 7, wherein thekinematic coupling member comprises a cam, rotationally integral withthe launching arm and pushing on the lever.
 9. The machine according toclaim 1, wherein the launching device comprises a fairing equipped withtwo side walls parallel to each other and to a plane of rotationaltravel of the launching arm, and wherein the magazine comprises afairing equipped with two side walls parallel to each other.
 10. Themachine according to claim 9, wherein the fairing of the launchingdevice and the fairing of the magazine are parallel and offset in adirection of an axis of rotation of the launching arm.
 11. The machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the magazine is foldable towards thelaunching device or is movable.